Senior Behavioral Scientist, Nudge Unit & Behavioral Insights

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts Inc.; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 122,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Well-being benefits

Job summary

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is seeking a Senior Behavioral Scientist to lead behavioral science projects across a diverse portfolio, applying evidence-based nudges to improve member and provider decisions and experiences.

The role requires eight+ years in behavioral science or related fields, excellent collaboration skills, and the ability to mentor colleagues. This full-time position is open to Massachusetts-based or remote US candidates, with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required; Master’s or PhD strongly preferred.
• Eight years of relevant professional experience in behavioral science or related field.
• Experience in applied research, program evaluation, or consulting.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and delivery of behavioral science projects across a diverse portfolio.
• Serve as a technical lead on projects, ensuring quality and practical application of methods.
• Develop high-quality reports, proposals, and presentations.
• Guide research design, literature reviews, data analysis, and evaluation activities.
• Coach and mentor other internal staff in project execution and development.
• Collaborate with leadership to shape strategic priorities and expand the organization’s work.

Skills

Behavioral science

Project leadership

Qualitative research

Quantitative research

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master’s or PhD

Job description

Ready to help us transform healthcare? Bring your true colors to blue. Reporting to the Director, Nudge Unit & Behavioral Insights, the Senior Behavioral Scientist, Nudge Unit & Behavioral Insights, will support the company’s efforts to apply behavioral insights (i.e., “nudges” and other behavioral insights techniques) to improve the decisions, experiences, and health of BCBSMA’s members, network providers, and employees. All nudge unit activities will further BCBSMA’s strategic pillars: quality, equity, affordability, and consumer experience. In May 2020, BCBSMA formed an internal Nudge Unit, led by its Performance Measurement and Improvement (PMI) division, and assisted by consultants and selected academics. Early goals have included helping key operational units (e.g., medical management, member and provider communications, contracting and network management) recognize opportunities to apply behavioral insights to improve member and provider decision making, developing behavioral insights-informed versions of submitted interventions (or developing new interventions where none had existed before), and deploying these interventions to maximize their evaluability and value to the health plan and its members. Since its inception, the BCBSMA Nudge Unit has deployed over 100 behavioral insights-informed interventions, preferring randomized deployments to maximize evaluability. These interventions have included efforts to improve guideline-concordant screening uptake, medication use, laboratory testing, and provider billing patterns. Intervention channels include unidirectional communications (e.g., letters, emails, text messages, faxes) and more complex choice architecture (e.g., BCBSMA’s member app, which has more than 1 million users). The Senior Behavioral Scientist will oversee complex projects from concept through implementation, mentor and coach junior team members, and contribute to strategic efforts. This position is ideal for an experienced behavioral scientist who combines strong analytical and research skills with excellent relationship-building, project leadership, and strategic thinking. This position is open to candidates based in Massachusetts as well as remote, US-based candidates.

Your Day to Day:

Lead the design, implementation, and delivery of behavioral science projects across a diverse portfolio of work. Serve as a technical lead on projects, ensuring the quality, rigor, and practical application of behavioral science methods and recommendations. Develop high-quality reports, proposals, presentations, and other deliverables. Guide research design, literature reviews, data analysis, and evaluation activities, ensuring findings are translated into actionable insights. Coach and mentor other internal Nudge Unit staff, providing guidance on project execution, professional development, and technical approaches. Collaborate with the Director to shape the team's strategic priorities and identify opportunities to expand the organization's behavioral science work. Support coalition-building efforts by engaging diverse stakeholders and helping align partners around shared goals and evidence-based solutions. Oversee project timelines, and deliverables, ensuring high-quality work is completed on schedule. Stay informed of emerging research and best practices and identify opportunities to incorporate new evidence and innovative approaches into the organization's work.

What We’re Looking For:

Demonstrated expertise in applying behavioral science principles to real-world challenges. Significant experience leading complex, multidisciplinary projects from design through implementation. Strong knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods and program evaluation. Experience mentoring or supervising colleagues and supporting professional development. Demonstrated ability to build relationships with clients, partners, and stakeholders across sectors. Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences. Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities in a collaborative environment. Knowledge of US health care industry and external environment preferred.

What You’ll Bring:

Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s or PhD Degree in Behavioral Science, Psychology, Economics, Public Policy, Sociology, or a related field strongly preferred. At least eight years of relevant professional experience in behavioral science, applied research, program evaluation, consulting, or a related field.

Minimum Education Requirements:

High school degree or equivalent required unless otherwise noted above.

Location Boston Time Type Full time Salary Range: $122,490.00 - $149,710.00

We offer comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401(k), and a suite of well-being benefits to eligible employees.

As an employer, we are committed to investing in your development and providing the necessary resources to enable your success. We are dedicated to creating a refreshing and rewarding workplace that promotes excellence and provides opportunities for employees to forge their unique career path. We take pride in our diverse, community-centric, wellness-focused culture and believe every member of our team deserves to enjoy a positive work-life balance. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is an Equal Employment Employer - veterans/disability. Applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristics protected by law.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts's legal duty to furnish information.